Systematic Studies of Asian <i>Saussurea</i> (<i>Asteraceae</i>) VIII. Three New Species from Honshu, Japan

<p>Three new species of the genus Saussurea from Honshu, Japan are described. Saussurea (subg. Theodorea) nakagawae Kadota from Sado Island, Niigata Pref. is distinguished from S. pulchella (Fisch. ex Hornem.) Fisch. by having longer involucres with more or longer bracts, 11–12-seriate involucral phyllaries and narrowly ovate outer phyllaries. Saussurea nakagawae is the fourth species of subsect. Theodorea-vera sect. Theodorea of subg. Theodorea (Cass.) Lipsch. The name, subsect. Theodoreavera is validated here. Saussurea mihokokawakamiana Kadota from Mt. Kagonotoyama, the Asama Mountains, Nagano Pref. differs from S. triptera Maxim. by having almost wingless stem, narrowly triangular-ovate cauline leaves, loose racemose synflorescence, larger cylindrical to campanulate involucres and 8–9-seriate involucral phyllaries with caudate tips. Saussurea mihokokawakamiana is similar to S. kimbuensis Nakai in involucral phyllaries with caudate tips and narrowly ovate-triangular leaves but differs from it by larger involucres and 8–9-seriate involucral phyllaries. Saussurea yamagataensis Kadota from the Murayama area, Yamagata Pref. is different from S. sendaica (Franch.) Franch. ex Koidz. by having horizontal rhizomes with longer internodes, narrowly ovate cauline leaves, stem pubescent with pale greenish, long multicellular hairs, longer cylindrical involucres and 11–12-seriate involucral phyllaries.</p>